JAMES: Tongue Tamer
JAMES
Tongue Tamer
James 3:1-12
August 21, 2022
James 3:2 – We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says,
he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
Perfect means: mature, healthy
Why must I watch what I say?
Three Reasons:
1. My tongue directs where I
James 3:3-4 - When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
2. My tongue can destroy what I
James 3:5-6 - Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire… It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Whole course of His life means: Circle of life.
Proverbs 21:23 - He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
James 3:7-8 - All kinds of animals…are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
3. My tongue displays who I
James 3:9-12 - With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
The heart of the matter is the
Matthew 12:34 - You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 15:18 - But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart…
Harsh tongue = Angry heart. Negative tongue = Fearful heart.
Overactive tongue = Unsettled heart. Boastful tongue = Insecure heart.
Filthy tongue = Impure heart. Encouraging tongue = Happy heart.
What’s the solution?
1. Get a new
Ezekiel 18:31 - Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
• My intake affects my output.
2. Ask God for
James 3:8 - but no man can tame the tongue…
Psalm 141:3 - Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
3. Think before you
James 1:19 - My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.